The New Dress: An AnalysisVirginia Woolf

Background Virginia Woolf’s short story “The New Dress”

was written in 1924. The story was published on May 1927

It is about the feelings of a woman towards herself and her reaction to the behaviors of others when they meet her.

It is also about the agonies and human experience in fashion. It was said that the author had ambivalent complex relationship with fashion. Meaning, she gets a hard time of choosing what fashion that will fit on her. Probably, she wrote this short story to put her feelings when she experience being criticize by others to her fashion.

Characters

Mabel Waring- A middle-aged woman with two children- Since she was a child, she has the feeling of Inferiority to other people             - She was invited in a social gathering. 

Mrs. Barnet- Maidservant in the Dalloway

household- Her behavior in greeting

Mabel Waring and taking her coat seem unremarkable to the reader, but sets off great waves of insecurity in the party guest about her appearance and social role

Clarissa Dalloway- The hostess of the party that Mabel

attends - Affable and courteous to her

guests, and her presence lingers- Encouraged Mabel not to leave the party

Mrs. Dalloway- Invited Mabel to the party

Other guests invited

Robert Haydon-  try to cheer up  Mabel but insincere way (according to Mabel)

Rose Shaw – dressed in the height of the fashion 

 Charles Burt – guest in the party that can change the life of Mabel

 Mrs. Holman –the one share her family story and not detached to the party

Interpretation It is a story that is written in a stream-of-

consciousness technique as it describes Mabel thoughts and actions while she is in the party.

The stream-of consciousness technique which Virginia Woolf is famous for makes the story more interesting and shows the reader the inside of Mabel.

She also uses quite a few images which should be understood by the reader : the new dress, and thus, women’s consciousness of fashion have to be considered.

Approach Psychological-   It describes the way of thinking and the personality of the main character.

Literary Device

Flashback- She uses flashbacks to escape the reality but these happy feelings are only temporary.

References

 http://www.enotes.com/new-dress www.dibache.com/text.asp?

cat=51&id=2223 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Virginia

Woolf

“We have to learn to be our own best friends

because we fall too easily into the trap of being our

own worst enemies.”~Roderick Thorp, Rainbow

Drive